The Florida Department of Motor Vehicles has released data showing that Miami Dade had a total of 63,157 car accidents 2017. This puts Miami Dade well ahead of all other counties, with Broward County far behind in second place with 40,324. Florida as a whole saw 387,900 accidents with 246,285 resulting in injuries (Source: https://patch.com/florida/miamibeach/florida-counties-top-most-car-accidents-2017).
What is causing the high number of auto accidents?
There are many contributing factors to these high figures. Some factors we would expect, such as drink driving, bad weather, inexperienced drivers, as well as drivers over the age of 65 (drivers over the age of 65 were twice as likely to have been involved in an accident).
However, there were also many lesser known contributing factors. According to the data, the month with the most accidents was March (with 37,395 accidents), while Fridays are the day of the week when you are most likely to be involved in an accident. It seems that rush hour is also a factor, with a higher percentage of collisions happening between 4:00pm to 5:00pm.
On a macro level, another contributing factor is the growing population of Florida and of South Florida in particular. The increase in population leads to an increase in cars on the road, which subsequently increases the chance of accidents.
What should I do if I have been involved in a car accident?
If you or anyone involved in the accident has sustained life-threatening injuries, then you should call 911. However, if your injuries are not life-threatening, then another option is to visit an accident clinic specializing in the treatment of auto injuries, such as RiteCare Medical Center’s Auto Clinic in Hialeah. RiteCare provides all the necessary diagnostic tests on site in order to evaluate and treat your injuries.
How can the number of car accidents be reduced?
There are several ways to help reduce the number of car accidents. Driving a safe and well-maintained car will ensure important safety features (such as your breaks, for example) work well. Ensuring the driver is an a good condition is equally important. The driver should be (of course) sober, plus minimize the chances of any distractions, such as using cell phones or eating. Other options include practicing defensive driving and/or increasing the road safety requirements for new drivers.
I have been involved in an Auto Accident – Should I see a doctor?
It is very important to see a doctor even after a minor car accident. In terms of paying for your medical bills, Florida is a “no fault” state, which means that the first $10,000 of your injuries is covered under your PIP insurance. However, in order to receive this money, your injuries have to be directly correlated to the accident within a certain number of days. This is why it is important to seek medical attention immediately. Read more about what to do if you are involved in an auto injury in Hialeah.
